Richard Chenevix Trench

Sonnet 02

I stood beside a pool, from whence ascended, Mounting the cloudy platforms of the wind, A stately heron; its soaring I attended, Till it grew dim, and I with watching blind-- When lo! a shaft of arrowy light descended Upon its darkness and its dim attire; It straightway kindled them, and was afire, And with the unconsuming radiance blended.

And bird, a cloud, flecking the sunny air, It had its golden dwelling 'mid the lightning Of those empyreal domes, and it might there Have dwelt for ever, glorified and bright'ning, But that its wings were weak--so it became A dusky speck again, that was a winged flame.